So often, we hear Christians speak the truth on social media and in real life. They put it out there: This is what the Bible says, this is what is true. They remember John 8:32, “you will know the truth,…
We Have Received Everything for a Godly Life!
The other day, I was reading 2 Peter and the following passage jumped off the page: Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One…
Serving Others doesn’t have to be Fear of Man
There are three basic reasons you might do something you know someone wants done. 1. Authority structure. You know your boss wants you to finish writing up a report. So you do it. 2. Honor, love, or serving others. My…
Victim Mentality = Self-Righteousness
As I look around the world today, I see an overabundance of people with a victim mentality. Everything that happens to them is proof that they’re a victim of this, a victim of that, and a victim of another thing.…
The Difference Between Surrender and Sacrifice
Surrender and sacrifice, while often used in the same context in the church today, are not the same thing. Far from it. Surrender is trading one ruler for another. Sacrifice is a voluntary offering of something one owns to someone…
Self-Righteousness = Fear of Being Wrong
There are two types of people I’ve met who are terrified of doing something wrong. First, those who know the repercussions of their mistake and don’t want to face the consequences. Second, those with an undercover or overt sense of…
Small Faith Grows Faith
I heard a story this past week about a pacifist who entered the army during World War II. He was assigned to the medical team because he refused to carry a gun. During one the battles, the Americans were in…
Should All Prophesy Be Positive or Judgmental?
If you’ve been around the church for a while, you’ve probably run across “prophets” – people full of judgment and condemnation who reveal others’ sins and call them to repentance, usually with anger and a sour expression. Actually, if you’ve…
I Trust the One I Walk With
Last Saturday morning, I was drinking orange juice by the kitchen sink. At the table, two of my siblings were discussing an upcoming adventure. The general gist of the conversation was that my little brother was trying to stir up…
7 Ways to Lift Up Others Rather Than Pull Them Down
The other day, I was reading an article where someone was spouting their opinion on various cultures. To this young woman, there were two responses to a person’s success in life. In the first type of culture, if someone “made…